Learn the Inside Story of How Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Handled a Voluntary Recall that Some Called ‘Technically Perfect’ 

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams faced the biggest decision in the company’s 14-year history when a random sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes last April. The company moved quickly to issue a voluntary recall of all products sold at more than 20 Jeni's stores as well as at retailers, including Whole Foods and Target.

What went into making the decision to recall all products? How was it communicated to regulators, customers and consumers? What did the company learn from the experience? John Lowe, Jeni’s CEO, will share the story of what went wrong – as well as what went right – during the recall when he kicks off IDFA’s workshop, “Recall Ready? Managing Recalls and Protecting Your Brand,” on April 11 in Bonita Springs, Fla. It will precede the Ice Cream Technology Conference, April 12-13.

“Public relations professionals and crisis-management consultants have called Jeni’s handling of the recall ‘technically perfect,’” said Peggy Armstrong, IDFA vice president of communications.

This one-day workshop is designed to help ice cream professionals plan for managing a recall. It will cover the fundamentals of a product recall, review a company’s rights and responsibilities and outline strategies for limiting liability and managing customer expectations. A combination of presentations and exercises will help attendees to benchmark their companies’ recall protocols and communications management principles, and offer tools for technical food safety staff and communications and marketing teams to work together effectively and efficiently during the recall.

Sessions will include:

  • “Understanding the Fundamentals of a Product Recall and Protecting Your Reputation and Brand,”
  • “The Role of FDA and State Regulators: How to Work with Them; How to Limit Your Liability” and
  • “Exercise: Crisis Management Planning for a Recall.”

Is your company prepared for a recall? Register online today for the Ice Cream Technology Conference and the workshop, “Recall Ready? Managing Recalls and Protecting Your Brand.”

For more information, contact Maria Velasco, IDFA meetings coordinator and registrar, at mvelasco@idfa.org.